Daniel Shawhan
Fellow
Much of Daniel Shawhan’s research focuses on predicting and estimating the effects of electricity policies, including environmental ones. He has played a leading role in developing a new set of capabilities for simulating how power grids, power plants, and pollution levels will respond to potential changes in policy. The same simulation capabilities can be used to evaluate the effects of potential new power plants and transmission lines. In related statistical work, Shawhan has examined whether power plant startups and ramping greatly increase emissions, whether windfarms really reduce emissions from fuel-burning power plants, and whether the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative cap-and-trade program has increased emissions in the neighboring coal-rich state of Pennsylvania. He also works on electricity market design and environmental policy design. Shawhan has helped state governments craft electricity market reforms and first-in-the-nation policies for hybrid vehicles, energy efficiency, green buildings, and renewable energy.
Education
- PhD in applied economics and management, Cornell University, 2008
- BA in economics, with honors, Grinnell College, 1995
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Journal Article — Nov 1, 2024
Distributional Impacts of Carbon Capture in the US Power Sector
To understair the air pollution costs of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), this paper simulates the potential impacts of allowing CCUS deployment in the US power sector under plausible climate policies.
In Focus — Oct 31, 2024
In Focus: Effects of Offshore Wind Development
This video shares insights about the potential benefits of offshore wind energy along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, with RFF Fellow Daniel Shawhan.
Webinar — Nov 13, 2024
Offshore Wind Power Examined
On Wednesday, November 13th, RFF hosted a webinar detailing the findings of the working paper “Offshore Wind Power Examined: Effects, Benefits, and Costs of Offshore Wind Farms Along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts”
Press Release — Oct 2, 2024
New Modeling Shows Offshore Wind’s Benefits to Climate, Health, and Energy Bills
New RFF analysis finds that developing 32 planned or proposed offshore wind farms off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts would reduce emissions, environmental damages from those emissions, deaths, and consumer energy bills.
Journal Article — Nov 1, 2024
Distributional Impacts of Carbon Capture in the US Power Sector
To understair the air pollution costs of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), this paper simulates the potential impacts of allowing CCUS deployment in the US power sector under plausible climate policies.
Working Paper — Oct 2, 2024
Offshore Wind Power Examined: Effects, Benefits, and Costs of Offshore Wind Farms Along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts
Offshore Wind Power Examined: Effects, Benefits, and Costs of Offshore Wind Farms Along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts
Working Paper — Sep 19, 2024
Policies for Reducing the Impacts of Power Sector Air Pollution on Disadvantaged Americans
Policies for Reducing the Impacts of Power Sector Air Pollution on Disadvantaged Americans
Journal Article — Nov 30, 2023
Power Sector Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
This paper investigates potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on the power sector, which is the focus of many of the law's core provisions.
Webinar — Nov 13, 2024
Offshore Wind Power Examined
On Wednesday, November 13th, RFF hosted a webinar detailing the findings of the working paper “Offshore Wind Power Examined: Effects, Benefits, and Costs of Offshore Wind Farms Along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts”
RFF Live — Sep 13, 2022
Pathways toward Grid Decarbonization
New modeling illuminates opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the US electric power sector
RFF Live — Jan 13, 2023
Plugging In: How Much Will Electric Vehicles Drive Decarbonization?
A conversation on the environmental benefits of plug-in electric vehicles and issues related to policies, markets, and the power sector
Advanced Energy Technologies Series — Jul 30, 2021
Clean Energy Innovation: How Beneficial is Government Funding?
Clean Energy Innovation: How Beneficial is Government Funding?
In Focus — Oct 31, 2024
In Focus: Effects of Offshore Wind Development
This video shares insights about the potential benefits of offshore wind energy along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, with RFF Fellow Daniel Shawhan.
Common Resources — Jan 3, 2023
What Are the Benefits of Electric Vehicles for Climate, Air Pollution, and Health?
Resources for the Future scholars Joshua Linn and Daniel Shawhan review some of the findings from their new study, which investigates the benefits and costs of plug-in electric vehicles for climate, air pollution, and health.
In Focus — Nov 2, 2022
In Focus: Renewable Energy Growth
This video shares insights on the growing use of renewable energy and what governments can do to speed clean energy adoption, with RFF Fellow Dan Shawhan.
Resources Radio — Jun 15, 2021
The Dollar Value of Energy Innovation, with Daniel Shawhan
Daniel Shawhan explains why investments in advanced energy technologies can produce benefits that far outweigh the costs.
Press Release — Oct 2, 2024
New Modeling Shows Offshore Wind’s Benefits to Climate, Health, and Energy Bills
New RFF analysis finds that developing 32 planned or proposed offshore wind farms off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts would reduce emissions, environmental damages from those emissions, deaths, and consumer energy bills.
Press Release — Sep 19, 2024
Vulnerable Communities May Benefit More from a Carbon Price than from Targeted Environmental Justice Policies
A new paper finds that the policies designed to lower power-sector pollution particularly in environmentally overburdened, disadvantaged communities largely are less effective at meeting that goal than a power-sector carbon price.
Press Release — Sep 13, 2023
When Communities Shape Climate Policy, Disadvantaged New Yorkers See Better Air Quality Outcomes
A new report finds that New York’s most vulnerable communities benefit from greater air quality improvements under environmental justice stakeholders’ suite of recommendations.
Press Release — Jan 3, 2023
Environmental Benefits of Plug-In Vehicles Depend on Public Policy and Market Forces
A new paper by scholars at Resources for the Future shows how the climate and health benefits of plug-in electric vehicle adoption depend on public policies and market forces.